Have had Bells Palsy for 3 months plus 17 days. Some improvement. Should I be seeing a doctor for followup, even though he can do nothing to help'

Hello MissyCrissy,

For the benefit of all our readers, Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to the facial nerves.When Bell's palsy occurs, the function of the facial nerve is disrupted, causing an interruption in the messages the brain sends to the facial muscles. This interruption results in facial weakness or paralysis.

It occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles is swollen, inflamed, or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. Exactly what causes this damage, however, is unknown.

Most scientists believe that a viral infection such as viral meningitis or the common cold sore virus—herpes simplex—causes the disorder. They believe that the facial nerve swells and becomes inflamed in reaction to the infection, causing pressure within the Fallopian canal and leading to ischemia (the restriction of blood and oxygen to the nerve cells). In some mild cases (where recovery is rapid), there is damage only to the myelin sheath of the nerve. The myelin sheath is the fatty covering-which acts as an insulator-on nerve fibers in the brain.

The disorder has also been associated with influenza or a flu-like illness, headaches, chronic middle ear infection, high blood pressure, diabetes, sarcoidosis, tumors, Lyme disease, and trauma such as skull fracture or facial injury.

Bell's palsy affects each individual differently. Some cases are mild and do not require treatment as the symptoms usually subside on their own within 2 weeks. For others, treatment may include medications and other therapeutic options, such as physical therapy, facial massage and acupuncture.

MissyCrissy, what was your physician's recommendation for follow-up care? Were you told how often you should schedule an appointment?

If not, I suggest you contact your doctor's office and ask. I do not know the severity of your symptoms, cause and your overall health status, and cannot recommend whether or not you need follow-up.

Regards,
Maryann